Mr GUNNER - 2014-05-06
It is clear this government is the most secretive and unaccountable in Territory history. Why are you seeking to avoid scrutiny of important licencing decisions by scrapping the independent NT Licensing Commission? It is crucial for Territorians to see that important licensing decisions are made at arm’s length and are based on the best available evidence. How can Territorians have any faith that decisions made under the changes you have announced will be in the best interests of the community?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. We are not removing any accountability or scrutiny at all.
Mr Gunner: The independent Licensing Commission.
Mr TOLLNER: Let me answer the question, please. We are committed to transparency and accountability in government and are simply making some changes. The Attorney-General is implementing the Civil and Administrative Tribunal and I will hand over to him to explain how the tribunal will work.
Mr ELFERINK (Attorney-General and Justice): Madam Speaker, Territorians may not be aware that every jurisdiction in this country, other than the Northern Territory, has introduced a Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Currently in the Northern Territory there are some 230 sections with appealable processes in them, of which there are about 150 acts containing those sections - I have to check those numbers - and 35 different appeals processes. These changes to the Licensing Commission to create the licensing authority will come under the much greater umbrella of the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal. This is a standard model which has been used around the country for many years and was originally introduced as an administrative appeals tribunal under the Commonwealth. It reduces red tape.
Unfortunately, members opposite want to put the scarers on the people of the Northern Territory for what is, on examination and will be demonstrably, a good policy choice and position. An administrative appeals tribunal gets rid of mountains of red tape and different appeals processes. In some areas of this jurisdiction, if you do not like a decision of a public servant in relation to taxation, you have an appeals process within the Australian Taxation Office - talk about an absence of accountability or transparency.
Alternatively, if you have a mining issue you must go to the Lands, Planning and Mining Tribunal, which is held at the Local Court. A single one-stop shop tribunal process is an appropriate way to step forward. The licensing authority will continue to draw its experience from the Licensing Commission and will make decisions consistent with that. There will be an appealable process separate from government.
I ask Territorians and the members opposite, what is wrong with that?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. We are not removing any accountability or scrutiny at all.
Mr Gunner: The independent Licensing Commission.
Mr TOLLNER: Let me answer the question, please. We are committed to transparency and accountability in government and are simply making some changes. The Attorney-General is implementing the Civil and Administrative Tribunal and I will hand over to him to explain how the tribunal will work.
Mr ELFERINK (Attorney-General and Justice): Madam Speaker, Territorians may not be aware that every jurisdiction in this country, other than the Northern Territory, has introduced a Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Currently in the Northern Territory there are some 230 sections with appealable processes in them, of which there are about 150 acts containing those sections - I have to check those numbers - and 35 different appeals processes. These changes to the Licensing Commission to create the licensing authority will come under the much greater umbrella of the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal. This is a standard model which has been used around the country for many years and was originally introduced as an administrative appeals tribunal under the Commonwealth. It reduces red tape.
Unfortunately, members opposite want to put the scarers on the people of the Northern Territory for what is, on examination and will be demonstrably, a good policy choice and position. An administrative appeals tribunal gets rid of mountains of red tape and different appeals processes. In some areas of this jurisdiction, if you do not like a decision of a public servant in relation to taxation, you have an appeals process within the Australian Taxation Office - talk about an absence of accountability or transparency.
Alternatively, if you have a mining issue you must go to the Lands, Planning and Mining Tribunal, which is held at the Local Court. A single one-stop shop tribunal process is an appropriate way to step forward. The licensing authority will continue to draw its experience from the Licensing Commission and will make decisions consistent with that. There will be an appealable process separate from government.
I ask Territorians and the members opposite, what is wrong with that?
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016